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Hey everyone,

I have recently become aware that part of my username (Sambo) is a racist term for people of African decent in some countries.  This was obviously not the meaning I intended when I created this username, and in fact, the name Sambo was given to me by the father of a very close friend of mine when I was a child (my real name is 'Sam') and it has stuck ever since (no, I am not dark skinned or of African decent).  The NZ part is because I'm from New Zealand :)

In addition to these points, Sambo is also the name of a Russian martial art and a Japanese restaurant in the Philippines, so one could take it in a number of different ways.

However, all this is moot if the name offends people anyway.  Look, I'm not the kind of person who tip-toes around others because of some perceived offense I may cause, but I don't want to put people off and have them avoid dealing with me because of this.

The other side to this is that it's my username, ie; I'm calling myself a potentially derogatory name, so that may influence people's perception of it as well.

I could start a new account with a different name, but then I will have to re-build my (albeit limited) reputation from scratch.

What do you think?

Sam.

When I heard the term, the first thing that came to my mind was the Russian martial art made famous by Fedor Emelianenko. Be proud of your name, and don't bother what others think about it.

Cheers man :)

I don't even know the word is considered racist and offensive to some African...

I saw it for the first time  and if its your name you should not be apprehensive about it.

No. People add bo on to many names. Jimbo Steveo etc.

Yes very offensive. Jk. Never heard of sambo being offensive before.

Nowadays the Political correctness is getting more and more crazier. I don't know what will be next. May be they will even ban books such as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

Why would they ban them?

Most people don't care only those small minded who does.  :)

It sounds ok

Unless you call yourself something offensive with the intent of being offensive it should pass as OK.

I think the racial term is Zambo, not Sambo !!!

I suspect they're pronounced similarly though?

never heard of that being an offensive word. should be ok.

In spanish Zambo means , the result of the mixture between Black race and indian race (Native American). It is ok to use it to describe the racial background of somebody , however it is not ok to use as a derogatory adjetive

As most people here, Ive never heard of it.

indian race or red indian race ? Indian race represents Hindu culture, whereas Red Indian race represents Mayan culture.

did you read the complete sentence?  indian race (Native American), any indigenous people form America (Mayan, Aztec, Carib, Wayuu etc), the whole continent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas)

Oh yes, I can recall this as well, did some research on what the different 'race mixes' were called. I don't think it's more offensive than calling someone white or black. Just as long as it's not used in an offensive context it's not offensive in itself.

I do not think that its offensive at at all, I think  :-\

Not at all, don't know what it means.

Hey thanks everyone for your honest replies, I really appreciate your input.  I will stop worrying about it now :)

Both Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn has been banned from a number of public libraries in the US, as a result of campagns by organisations such as the SLPC. Check this to see details:

http://voices.yahoo.com/argument-against-banning-huckleberry-finn-by-12246857.html

I have no idea what it means as well.

Most people on here, probably would be in the same so what gives?  ::)

Those who always called racist about small things are racist themselves.  :)

I'm not sure thats true.

What?
Words can't be racist, people can. However words can be inappropriate, and strongly connected to racism / bad experiences etc.

There was a book in the US narrated by "Uncle Remus" and it had a story about "little black sambo."  You can google it if you really care for more backstory.  This is what may cause some people umbrage.  However, since you are clearly just using your name I don't think you should be concerned.

There is way too much butthurt in US society these days.

Hmmm... actually the book which you are referring to (The Story of Little Black Sambo) is an illustrated children's book. It was written by Helen Bannerman in 1899.

I have no issue with it

My friend Your name is OK

That's a perfect example of the endeavor to be PC escalating into idiocy.